First foray into room treatments

[mtrycrafts]

Well, at least the panels wont do any harm...

Most likely not but, it may absorb more than you really want at some locations? Or absorb the frequency that your speaker already is weak on. Doing things by ear is the tricky part if not impossible.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Hey mtry,
Let's say I'm interested in taking some measurements and don't know where to start. What would you recommend? Cost is always a factor and I'm sure you understand that.

Alex

There are some on line programs is you are computer handy and the computer is accessible at the audio room. Wmax may have posted some links for such programs, or Mark.
Or, at this link
http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/

 

[mtrycrafts]

I could hear a difference just by bringing each panel into the room. All one needs to do is sit in the listening position and have somebody carry the panel into the room and place it in it's location. For me, the effect was immediate and dramatic. One of the acoustic sites has waterfall graphs of the effect of adding panels one at time into a room. I'll see if I can find it.

Here it is. http://www.readyacoustics.com/index.php?go=acoustics-advice.case-study

Sure it changes things, but is that what would make a good acoustic response? There is much more to this than bringing it in the room and what one thinks sounds good. What is that 'good' compared to? A concert hall, just a difference from the previous room setup? The local pub's trio?
Yes, that waterfall chart helps, but that one is based on their controlled room conditions, or someones room not yours. Can you do the same graphing, at any location in your room? If so, then yes, you can objectively set them up where they need to be, not where one may think it sounds best as they may not coincide.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

The odds are very good that you will have a positive response if you do very basic treatment like the first reflection points with the proper material.

Most likely not but, it may absorb more than you really want at some locations? Or absorb the frequency that your speaker already is weak on. Doing things by ear is the tricky part if not impossible.

 

[Davemcc]

Sure it changes things, but is that what would make a good acoustic response? There is much more to this than bringing it in the room and what one thinks sounds good. What is that 'good' compared to? A concert hall, just a difference from the previous room setup? The local pub's trio?
Yes, that waterfall chart helps, but that one is based on their controlled room conditions, or someones room not yours. Can you do the same graphing, at any location in your room? If so, then yes, you can objectively set them up where they need to be, not where one may think it sounds best as they may not coincide.

I'm not saying that I've created the perfect acoustic room. Far from it. What I know is that I had a very echoey room and could not turn up the volume very loud without hurting my ears. The simple homemade panels I made have allowed me to enjoy music at the volume levels I prefer. At some point during my journey through this hobby, I may acquire the ability to measure what's happening in the room, but until then I at least have what I perceive to be "very good sound", in a subjective sense.

I'm not saying you are wrong, just that I'm not there yet. My experience is that bringing in a few panels can dramatically alter the sound. If somebody wants to try this as a test and sees how dramatic the changes can be, then maybe they will look into a proper room acoustics system for their room to maximize that effect. I did this simple test and I do have plans to create a proper acoustic environment and replace my homemade panels at some point.

As far as bass goes, I do have the ability to see in real time how my corner traps have helped flatten my FR and tighten up the response.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You bet I will.

I hope my frames arrive tomorrow. The UPS tracking has showed them setting in MN since Friday.

And Greg, when you're finished, follow up with us. We'll help you take some measurements of the room to gauge it's performance with your treatments installed. (on the house)



Cheers!

Joel DuBay
www.readyacoustics.com
See our Chameleon Acoustic Panels at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show going on now!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm not saying that I've created the perfect acoustic room. Far from it. What I know is that I had a very echoey room and could not turn up the volume very loud without hurting my ears. The simple homemade panels I made have allowed me to enjoy music at the volume levels I prefer. At some point during my journey through this hobby, I may acquire the ability to measure what's happening in the room, but until then I at least have what I perceive to be "very good sound", in a subjective sense.

I'm not saying you are wrong, just that I'm not there yet. My experience is that bringing in a few panels can dramatically alter the sound. If somebody wants to try this as a test and sees how dramatic the changes can be, then maybe they will look into a proper room acoustics system for their room to maximize that effect. I did this simple test and I do have plans to create a proper acoustic environment and replace my homemade panels at some point.

As far as bass goes, I do have the ability to see in real time how my corner traps have helped flatten my FR and tighten up the response.

Don't get me wrong, totally Your approach is appropriate Echo is a very bad thing.

 

[3db]

Don't get me wrong, totally Your approach is appropriate Echo is a very bad thing.

You were scaring me for a second their Mytr!!

I built my own traps according to a plan posted on Sound & Vision and I too noticed that I could play louder without the sound becoming harsh and irritating. Now I'm in a new house and I've got them stacked behind the speakers because the side walls are asymetrical and I don't have this echo affect I had in the last room. Do they work in this room? I dunno. I have to wait until the neighbours, kids, and wife leaves for an afternoon *L*

 

[mtrycrafts]

You were scaring me for a second their Mytr!!

I built my own traps according to a plan posted on Sound & Vision and I too noticed that I could play louder without the sound becoming harsh and irritating. Now I'm in a new house and I've got them stacked behind the speakers because the side walls are asymetrical and I don't have this echo affect I had in the last room. Do they work in this room? I dunno. I have to wait until the neighbours, kids, and wife leaves for an afternoon *L*

I think perhaps there is a misunderstanding here whether they work or not. They work. Each panel does what that panel is capable of in that location. It may help with some frequency issues and it may hinder with others if too much is absorbed/attenuated. So, while one notices the real issue being eliminated, reduced or minimized, they may not notice other new issues caused unless there are some graphs showing the results. That is all.

 

[3db]

I think perhaps there is a misunderstanding here whether they work or not. They work. Each panel does what that panel is capable of in that location. It may help with some frequency issues and it may hinder with others if too much is absorbed/attenuated. So, while one notices the real issue being eliminated, reduced or minimized, they may not notice other new issues caused unless there are some graphs showing the results. That is all.

I agree with you and understand what you are saying.

but.. *L* if one doesn't notice the newly introduced anomoly, ie can't hear it, umm translated What I don't know won't kill me?..

no maybe this is better; If a tree falls down in a forest and we're not there, does it make a sound? .

 

[Guiria]

Forgive my ignorance but is mineral board a product you can buy at Home Depot or a construction building shop?

Where do you buy #8 mineral board?

 

[avaserfi]

Forgive my ignorance but is mineral board a product you can buy at Home Depot or a construction building shop?

Where do you buy #8 mineral board?

SPI is a good source for both 8lb mineral board and OC703/OC705. There seems to be one near you. Just give them a call and get a quote on their pricing then stop buy and pick it up.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I paid 34 bucks for 6- 2'' panels of #8. OC is about 3x more.

 

[mtrycrafts]

no maybe this is better; If a tree falls down in a forest and we're not there, does it make a sound? .

Well, since I am not there, I don't even know if a tree fell to make a sound

 

[suzook]

thats great

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

For me, the benefits of room treatment were immediate and obvious. I would say the room upgrade was the single most significant dollar-for-dollar audio upgrade I have ever made.

 

[Joel DuBay]

Forgive my ignorance but is mineral board a product you can buy at Home Depot or a construction building shop?

Where do you buy #8 mineral board?

Not typically. However, there are many "contractor" stores scattered throughout the U.S. and Canada that make acquisition of such easy. Try doing a search for SPI, or something as simple as "Insulation" in your Yellow Pages and you may just find a supplier close to you. If not, there are plenty of reputable companies offering Mineral Wool or OC703 on the net.

Happy hunting!

Cheers,


Joel DuBay
www.readyacoustics.com
The Bass Traps Network

 

[3db]

Well, since I am not there, I don't even know if a tree fell to make a sound

*LMAO* hands you a COLD frothy one.

 

[Soundman]

Good information everyone. I'm going to look into some of these websites myself! Now, if only my Rockets would come in.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Good information everyone. I'm going to look into some of these websites myself! Now, if only my Rockets would come in.

That gives you the time to get prepared in advance, not rush things after they have arrived